A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Ogba, yesterday, remanded a 45-year-old female teacher, Mrs Stella Nwadigbo, in Kirikiri Correctional Facility for indecent treatment of a three-year-old child of Christ Mitots Primary School in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
A viral video had surfaced, showing Nwadigbo slapping the boy at intervals for not learning to write numbers fast.
She was arraigned on a two- count charge in Magistrate’s Court 1, Ogba, by the police.
Following receipt of the video, the Family Support Unit (FSU) of Ikorodu Police Division promptly arrested the suspect on January 8, and transferred her to the Gender Unit of the Command Headquarters the same day after preliminary investigations.
During the arraignment, the police prosecutor, Mr Akeem Raji, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, about 11 am.
Raji said the incident occurred at the Chris Mitots School in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
He said Nwadigbo indecently dealt with a three-year-old pupil in her class, Abayomi Michael, by giving him injury on his face.
The prosecutor also told the court that the defendant assaulted Abayomi by giving him fist blows consistently on his face, which caused him injury and swollen face.
According to the prosecutor, the offences committed contravene Sections 135 and 172, of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.
Consequently, Magistrate Olabisi Kusanu granted her bail in the sum of N200, 000, with two sureties in like sum and ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed.
Meanwhile, the management of the school has announced the suspension of the teacher, describing her action as “unacceptable.”
“We are aware of a deeply troubling incident involving a teacher engaging in physical discipline of a student in a completely unacceptable manner.
“As an institution deeply committed to fostering a culture of respect, care and dignity, we are horrified by this incident and wish to make it clear that such actions will not be tolerated.
“In response, the teacher involved has been suspended indefinitely, while a thorough investigation is being conducted,” it said.
The school also apologised to the pupil and his family, announced mandatory training sessions for its teachers as well as introduced a whistle-blowing system to encourage prompt reporting of inappropriate behaviour.
“We have reached out to them to express our regret. We ask for the public’s patience and understanding as we work to address this matter responsibly and comprehensively.
“We will be organising mandatory training sessions for teachers to reinforce child protection protocols, emphasise positive disciplinary practices, and cultivate greater sensitivity in interactions with students,” it added.
